Food Hygiene Ratings
The National Food Hygiene Rating Scheme, or 'scores on the doors', is a Food Standards Agency/local authority partnership initiative to provide consumers with at-a-glance information about hygiene standards in food businesses found during planned inspections.
To help your food business get the most out of its food hygiene rating, use the online toolkit which has ideas on how to promote hygiene standards and help increase your number of customers who come through the door or order online.
Report a problem
We only deal with food premises based within the Hambleton district. If your query is about a food premise based outside these boundaries, then please contact the Local Authority where the food premise is located.
Check a Food Hygiene Rating
The Food Standards Agency maintains a database of food hygiene ratings across England, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland. You can check a premises' rating here:
How are businesses rated?
After each planned inspection a rating from 0 (the worst) to 5 (the best) is awarded based on food hygiene and safety standards found at the time of the inspection in the following areas:
- compliance with food hygiene and safety procedures
- compliance with structural requirements
- confidence in management controls/procedures
The rating does not reflect the quality of food or the standard of service provided.
Request an re-inspection
The food hygiene rating system has recently changed and you can now request a reinspection straight away providing you are confident that you have rectified the non-compliance identified at the time of inspection. The officer will give you a ‘new’ food hygiene rating based on the level of compliance that is found at the time of the revisit - you should be aware that your rating could go up, down or remain the same.
Cost
The fee for a re-inspection is £250.
What do I need to do?
Download and return this form to ehts@hambleton.gov.uk:
Pay online
You can pay right now using our secure payment system. Make sure to select the correct service from the left-hand side:
When will the inspection take place?
The inspection will be a full unannounced inspection, and will take place within 3 months of written request for a revisit and receipt of the fee.
What happens if I do not get the score I want?
The existing safeguards remain in place, however you can apply again.
Can I still request a revisit without payment?
Unfortunately no. The payment is to cover the cost of the service.
Safeguards
To be fair to businesses the scheme includes a number of safeguards, including an appeal procedure, a right to reply, and you can request for a revisit to be assessed for a new rating when improvements have been made.
Download and return the appropriate form to ehts@hambleton.gov.uk:
Low risk food businesses
If you are a low risk food business (such as chemists, newsagent or village hall), you can complete a questionnaire to remove the need for a physical inspection by a food officer:
Healthier Choices scheme
Healthier Choices is a free certification scheme from North Yorkshire County Council that supports businesses who provide their customers with healthier eating options. You can find out more about the scheme and view other businesses already taking part here:
Further information
More information for businesses, customers and frequently asked questions can be found here:
